What about a van rental?

Enterprise in West Valley has a mini-van. It's estimated at $267 (7:30 am friday--for 3 days)which would be around $12 per person for all 24 of us. Can we all pitch in to rent a van to fill in for our missing vehicle? I'm sure it will be gone quick because they are sold out everywhere. What do you think?

Hi Ladies ~ I'll keep this intro short & sweet, because I know that we're in crunch time & everyone is on here looking for last minute info. My name is Emeliee Dirks, I am 35 years old, happily married for (almost!) 10 years to my husband Mike, and the mother to two beautiful little girls, Lauren (age 7) and Ellie (age 4).
I've been running off and on for years, but never truly got into it until I started triathlons 3 years ago. I like the swimming & biking, but LOVE the running. I live up the street from Chelle and cherish our early morning runs (I've never been able to find anyone else to consistently get up & run with me, regardless of rain, snow or the clock reading 5 A.M.!). I've been told that I always look miserable during every race, so if you see me with an angry look while I'm crawling up those hills ~ just know that's how I always appear to look during a run! I've completed two half marathons this year, and have two more planned and several triathlons, but the Wasatch Back has been something I've wanted to do for years. Thank you Amy H. for the invite (I'm so glad I was able to commit last minute!) and I look forward to meeting you all soon!

Hello Everyone

My name is Tancy Eyre and I'm 36 years old. I grew up as the youngest of 11 kids in the little town of Richfield Utah. (I have 8 sisters whos names all begin with the letter "T" and thus the unusual name of "Tancy.") As a freshman in highschool I had a crush on a senior who I later married when we both met up a BYU many years later. We lived in Missouri and Michigan for about 10 years while my husband was in school, but moved back to Utah in 2005 when we got tired of taking all of our vacations to come home and visit family. We now live in Salem, Utah (just south of Provo) and we have 4 kids, 2 boys & 2 girls, ages 12 to 5 who we love to pieces.



I started running about six years ago when I was sure I needed an to be medicated for anxiety. Not only did running calm my nerves, but it opened many doors for me, "The Wasatch Back" being one of them. I am excited to meet all of you!

Van decorations, costumes, the important stuff.

Do we want to wear costumes and decorate the vans? We probably won't be going all out like these people did but we should do something simple at least. I've never done this before. What is everyone thinking? What do the veterans recomend?

Check this out for some insight if you are as clueless as I am.

http://kspinning.wordpress.com/2008/03/08/pimping-our-ride/

http://www.runningrelays.com/?page_id=13

Replacement

First of all, Kari, I am so sorry. I hope you recover quickly. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you...

Secondly, Chelle and I found some one to join us all to take the place of runner 12. Emeliee Dirks is our good friend and running partner and she would love to join us all. I can't wait to read her introduction and I am so excited for you all to meet her in person.

Emeliee, thank you so much for doing this so last minute. If it is any consolation to you, aside from mentally and physically preparing for this race, I have not done any packing, shopping, or other preparation for the Wasatch Back either.

Sometimes the best times come with the least preparation.

Welcome aboard!

Attn: Mommies Got Back Van # 1

Don't worry....

I'm bringing the Wonder Woman costume. And I think we just might need to make it a requirement to run at least one leg each wearing it (over your running clothes, of course!) Head band, arm bands -- I've got it all!

Woo Hoo!!!

(Wo)Man Down...

Prayers for Kari. She is out. And we are all sad, sad, about that.

Erin called and asked that I post a quick note letting everyone know and that you keep Kari in your thoughts. Also, since we have a spot open on Mommies Got Back...we need TWO things...super quick...

1- A VEHICLE...for team 1, legs 6-12
2- A RUNNER... for team 1, we probably can changes leg assignments if need be...

Anyone out there willing to volunteer their car and/or running legs?

Email Erin ASAP!!!! info@theribbonspot.com

Should We Simplify?

Darling Runnin' Friends,

Okay, let's be honest. Is it gonna be too much to try and get together on Thursday night? How many of us are going to the breakfast Friday morn? I think in our official poll we had about a dozen who thought they'd be able to come on Thursday night. But, that was a month or so ago and we ALL know how best laid plans work. And here's the thing: I know how it can be that once you get in town-- and the family obligations come up -- and it gets tricky to try and get away.

Should we simplify? Should we just meet up on Friday morn for the breakfast?

Leave a quick comment, and let us know if you are OUT or still able to PLAY on Thursday night. Motherhood has taught me to be flexible, and so I will be happy with whichever we decide. : )

So, leave an official "yes" or "no" for Thursday night and we'll make our plan.

p.s. On another note --- Is everyone planning on bringing a sleeping bag? When I ran this race, that was a key element. I didn't notice it on Erin's packing list and it was pretty important. We just rolled our sleeping bags out on the grass and zonked out at a couple of places. Also, a cozy sweat shirt -- it got pretty chilly up there at night!

T.A.F.N. (that's all for now)

: )

Life in the Carpool Lane!

Can we have a little "carpool post"? If you want to carpool to something (like Thur night dinner in SLC or up to Logan on Friday for the breakfast and race) post it here. Maybe we can get an idea of where everyone is and who is going where. Going together is always more fun than going alone! :0) Kelly and I are planning on going to Chelle's, and I don't mind driving down and picking up passengers along the way. We'll be coming from the Ogden area. As for Friday morning, it would be awesome if we could hitch a ride up with our van driver or someone else. Fetching a car in Logan when we finish in Park City would be a bit of a hassle if you know what I mean. Let me know if you are all interested in carpooling. I can't wait!

9 DAYS and COUNTING!

Oh my!!!!! Anyone else have a to do list that is now consuming most of a notebook? :)

SO.... in order to cross off 1 thing at least today we are going to have a little show and tell....

Remember The List? Go refresh if you need to :) Here is how to do it in picture form (I know it seems a little early to be packing but we have a 20 hour drive to do in the next few days so it is time for me to)

Making a list.... checking it twice....

Ziplocked and ready to go!

This is all I am bringing! Remember how I keep mentioning think small....

I really am not kidding!

Ok so on to another round up session to tie up loose ends.

1. I have made the assignment lists a little easier to read by making them posts. So go check them out. I figured we can figure out food things for each car by commenting on our own car :)

So here you go....

Kelly, Chelle, Jill, Sarah, Kristyn and Erin... Click Here!

Patti, Lindsay, Amy, Lisa, Jenny, Kari .... Click Here!

Tancy, Melanie, Cameo, Sarai, Jen P, and Angie R... Click Here!

Mandy, Amy P, Marianne, Bethany, Tiffany and Emily... Click Here!

Also has everyone thought through transportation? Kari I am planing on coming to you Friday morning :) but what is everyone else doing? If you don't have a plan and are just now realizing that no worries... that is why I am bringing it up.

Cameo... you need to leave in the seat because every one needs to have a seat belt. It was a fantastic idea but just not feasible.... sorry

Some clarification - the ziplocks aren't for anything specific but would have been handy for food or things while we did it here in Texas and the garbage bags are handy to have in case it rains a little and just to keep the cars as clean as possible with 6 females in them for 30+ hours :) As far a tarps I have heard they are handy to have to sleep outside. Me personally I would rather sleep sitting up in a car seat than not in a tent outside... but ya'll are welcome to see the stars if you want :)

Ok... discuss :)

The Breakfast Club

Greetings, Fellow Wasatch Backers--

The wait is almost over! A little more than a week from now we'll all be gathering for the adventure of a lifetime. I don't know about you all, but I'm nervous, anxious, antsy and just plain excited! I can't wait to meet you all and share this experience together.

My parents have been kind enough to offer their home in Logan as a gathering place for a breakfast the morning of the race. You are welcome to come anytime you'd like that morning to visit and mingle, but we'll plan on eating at 10:00. From there, we can pack up our vans and get to where we need to be to start the relay at 12:30.

We'll have everything prepared so you don't need to worry about bringing anything. If you'd be willing to pitch in two or three dollars to help cover the cost of the meal, we'll take care of everything else. Menu is still tentative but here's what I'm thinking:

French toast w/syrup
Scrambled eggs
Fruit bowl (bananas, melons, strawberries, pineapple, etc.)
Bagels with cream cheese
Juice (orange, apple, cranberry...)

I've purposefully avoided any heavy breakfast meats since I don't want to be responsible for any of our runners getting sick on their first legs over the bacon or sausage that didn't quite settle! If there's any suggestions that you have of favorite breakfast foods you like to eat before you run, by all means pass them on. We aim to please!

I'd rather not post contact info or directions publicly here on the blog, so if you plan on coming to the breakfast, please email me at tallgirlrunning@gmail.com and I'll get that information to you. That will also help give me a count of how many people to plan for. If your volunteers will be with you, they are also welcome to come... just let me know. And while I'd love to have your entire families come, we better keep it to just the runners and volunteers so my parents don't have second thoughts about offering their hospitality!

If I've missed anything, please let me know. Thanks and see you soon!

Angie

Party Info??

Hi all you party planners out there,

I'm trying to coordinate seeing some other friends quickly while I'm in Utah, and I'm wondering what time the shindig will start on Thursday night. What should I plan on bringing or contributing? What is the exact address? Same info needed for the breakfast on Friday morning. I'm sure you're going to get all of this to us, so thanks in advance. You guys are so generous and I know all 24 of us are going to have a great time!

Amy P.

FYI: Volunteers

This probably won't change anything but just wanted the Energizer Runnies to know our volunteer status. My husband, Carl, switched from just a regular volunteer to "Course Manager". His volunteer hours count for 3 volunteers. So.... if something comes up with one of the volunteers on our team they could probably call Ragnar and get out of it. Just a thought;)

And here goes my intro...

My name is Bethany G. and I live in Ammon, Idaho! We moved here three years ago when my husband graduated from Dental School at the University of Michigan. I met Emily F. in Family Housing at the UofM while our husbands studied hard. She is the one who encouraged me to get on board with all you ladies and I am so glad I decided to. I am so excited to run this relay, but a bit nervous for my last leg, there is a lot of elevation to climb! I need my van to cheer me on, so be prepared.

I started running in High School and I haven't stopped since, except for a baby here and there. Running in my anti-depressant, body slimming, energy boosting, socializing time, that I absolutely need. My husband and children are 100% supportive and my son looks like he might be running right along with me when he is old enough to keep up!

I am a full-time mom to four wonderful children. Carol 7 1/2, Tyler 6, Will 3 and Audrey 10 months. Four has definitely emphasized the FULL in full-time, it keeps me hopping. I grew up in SLC, went to college at BYU -Provo graduating in Near Eastern Studies! I spent a semester in Israel and it was an experience I'll never forget. I met my wonderful husband, Curtis, while attending school and after we both graduated we started our family and moved on to more schooling. Curtis is my best friend and biggest fan! I am proud to say I am a mother of a two-year cancer survivor. Will was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 9 months and is a miracle! I am so blessed to have him. As for hobbies, hmmm. When I have time, I enjoy scrapbooking and journaling. Waterskiing, hiking, biking with my family, playing games with friends and family, organizing parties, trying new recipes and eating ice cream.

Good luck in your final days of training!

What can I do to be helpful?

Erin, what can I do to be helpful? Do you want me to get water and stuff like that or is that already taken care of? Give me an assignment(s) so I can help you out. I'll do anything you want.

Thanks.